What is Tau Beta Pi?

Technically speaking:

We are a national engineering honor society founded "to mark in a fitting
manner those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished
scholarship and exemplary character as undergraduates in engineering.. and to
foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges." -- Preamble to the
Constitution.

In English talk:

We are a group of enthusiastic engineering students who are actively involved
on our campus, in our college, and with our community, yet we still find time to
have fun. The most explicit requirement for membership is distinguished
scholarship; however, high grades alone are not enough. We also expect our
initiates to have exceptional character and we host events that are designed to
help foster this. Initiation and membership in Tau Beta Pi is evidence of
personal integrity, a wide range of interests, adaptability, and unselfish
participation in community and volunteer activities.

Chapter History:

The Illinois Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi has inducted almost 10,000 of the
500,000 Tau Beta Pi members. Our chapter, started in 1897, was the 5th chapter of
Tau Beta Pi and has the second largest chapter alumni network among Tau Beta Pi
chapter.